Railway brake



Oct. 10, 1944. N' FLESCH RAILWAY BRAKE Filed May 25, 1942 2 sheets-sheet 1 .L U f fI I .I e I l l I Il kwil J Ir I I if, n w QW QW /QNw .m Q \w .NM1 I ILV. 7 I .I MVM., e lwMx.; NN NM, w uw. Il wlw !!Hn miwww NIO.. WW if @El a. .I g W mm ,ww mmf Nw .u N .w .I m I ANHEJ... v NI I I QM wlll u I\ w Jm II .QN uw IIJ. \!I.IN.I.I.IVI.I.I, v ..l .www MII NM mm .IWW .M NI F|I.I.I .IV.I.I.I. l mm1) I I I I/I I.I.I` wm www i www, .L I. I.I.I,.I Q I. IIIIII .IA -l w I I I I.I I.I I. I.1I.I-I.mvI.I.I I .I.rI I.I I I I-I.\ TS1 E QL www ,/I| @MM oct. 1o, 1944.

N. FLEscH I RAILWAY BRAKE Filed May 25,v 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Oct. 10, 1944 RAILWAY BRAKE Norman Flesch, Chicago, Ill., assignor to American Steel Foundries, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of New Jersey Application May 25, 1942, serial No. 444,390 g 2:0 Claims.

My invention relates to brake rigging for a railway freight car truck and more particularly to a type of rigging in which brake beams are supported from the truck, each beam carrying a brake shoe at each end thereof formed and arranged for engagement with the periphery of an adjacent wheel.

The conventional practice in brake rigging of the above described type has been to suspend the beams by means of brake hangers pivotally hung from hanger brackets on the truck. In recent years, however, a design of rigging has been utilized in which the ends of the beam have been slidingly supported from brackets or guides on the truck. In this latter type of rigging each guide bracket has been customarily disposed in a diagonal plane substantially bisecting the axis of the adjacent wheel in order to facilitate release of the associated brake beam by means of gravity and also to reduce to a minimum stresses on said beam during application of the brakes, as will be clearly apparent to those skilled in the art. Furthermore, the power means associated with each beam as well as the pull rods connected thereto for actuation thereof havebeen customarily disposed in horizontal planes. Thus the actuating forces operating on the brake beam have been acting through horizontal planes while the brake beam has been applied to the adjacent wheel in a diagonal plane. At least two deleterious effects have followed from this arrangement, one being the jamming of the ends of the brake beam in the guide brackets and the other being the twisting or bending of the beam.

An object of this invention is to prevent twisting and resultant jamming of the ends of the beam in the truck guide frame brackets during actuation of the brake rigging.

Another object of the invention is the reduction of bending stresses in the strut or fulcrum of the truss type brake beam generally utilized in the above described arrangement.

y These objects are accomplished by means of a brake arrangement in which the cylinder as well as the pull rods connected to the truck lever fulcrumed in the strut of the break beam lie in planes parallel tothe diagonal plane of application of the beam. By this arrangement the actuating forces on the brake rigging, and especially on the brake beam, are in planes parallel to the plane in which the beam moves to and from the wheel and axle assembly, whereby jamming of the beam in the truck frame guide brackets and bending of the beam are substantially reduced.

as will beciearly apparent to those skiued in the.

art.

A specific object'of myrinvention is to design a brake rigging of the above described type in which a brake beam is slidingly supported from the truck frame guide brackets inwardly of each supporting wheel and axle assembly, said beam being applied to said assembly by means of a lever fulcrumed in the strut of the beam, said lever being operatively associated with an associated power means or air cylinder', said cylinder operating in a planerparallel to the plane of application of the beam.v

A further object of my invention is an arrangement such as above described in which the beamfulcrumed truck lever is connected at one end thereof to one side frame ofthe associated railway car truck and is operatively connected at the other end thereof to a power cylinder supported on the opposed side frame.

In the drawings,

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a railway car truckembodying my novel brake arrangement. v

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the arrangement shown in Figure 11, and Figure 3 is an end view taken from the right as seen in Figures 1 and 2.

In each of said gures certain details may be omitted where they are more clearly seen in other views.

Describing my invention in detail, the truck frame comprises the spaced side frames 2 and 4', each of said frames having a tension member 6, a compression member 8, and spaced columns Ill, I 0 defining with said members the bolster opening I2 and spaced windows I4, I4. Adjacent each end of said side frame is formed an integral journal box I6, said boxes receiving in the usual manner the journal ends of the associated wheel and axle assemblies generally designated I8, I8. Out- Wardly of each journal box I6 the side frame 2 is provided with aninturned end portion 20 and the side frame 4 is provided with similar inturned end portions 22, 22, said end portions serving a purpose hereinafter more fully described. The side frames 2 and 4 are` connected by a bolster 24 of usual form, said bolster being receivedat opposite ends thereof .within respective bolster openings l2, I2 and supported from the side frames 2 and 4 in the usual manner by coil spring groups (not shown). l

Inwardly of each wheel and axle assembly I8 is a brake beam comprising a compression member 26, a tension member 28, and a strut 30 connected between sadjmembers in the usual manner, Secured to each end of the brake beam is a strut 30, said lever being diagonally arranged i and pivotally and adjustably connected Vat one end thereof as at 46 to the under-axle pull rod V48 connected at the opposite lend thereof as at 58 to the bracket 52 integrally formed on the adjacent extension 22 of the side frame 4. The opposite end of the lever 42 is pivotally connected .at -54 to the adjacent portion of the over-axle twopiece pull rod 56, the opposite end of the pull rod 56 being pivotally connectedat 58 to the upstanding dead truck lever 60, and the two portions of the pull rod .5B being connected by .a turnbuckle 62 in .order to make the connection between the levers 42 and 60 adjustable, as will be clearly apparent.

The `lever 5l] is pivotally connected intermediate its ends at .64 to thebracket 66, formed on the adjacent end Vportion 28 of the side frame 8 and the lever 6D is pivotally connected at its lower end at 68 to the piston 1D projecting from the Vair cylinder 12, said cylinder being secured at 14, 14 to the bottom of the associated end portion .28 on the side frame ,2. It will be apparent that upon actuation of each power cylinder l2, the associated truck lever 6D will be moved about the pivot, point 64 by the piston 10. This will cause the pull rod 56 to move the lever 42, said lever 42 being eiective to move the associated brake beam toward the adjacent wheel in the diagonal plane of application indicated at 16 (Figure 2). It may be noted that the plane of application 1S extends through a point slightly .above the axis of the adjacent Wheel and axle assembly 1.8 in the .modification shown. It will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that after several applications of the brakes, the rigging will tend to settle somewhat so that the plane 'I6 will approximately bisect the axis of the assembly. It may also be noted that the cylinder 12 and the pull rods 48 and 56 lie in planes substantially parallel to the plane of application 16 of the associated beam. Thus the actuating forces applied to said beam through the strut by means of the lever 4-2 will be in planes approximately parallel to said plane of application, whereby the extensions 38, 38 on the brake beam may freely slide within the associated brackets 40, 48 and whereby bending stresses on the strut 38 of the brake beam will be substantially eliminated.

It is to be understood that I do not wish to Y be limited by the exact embodiment of the device shown which is merely by way of illustration .and not limitation as various and other forms of the device will, of course, be apparent to those beam, a pull rod connecting said lever to one of said side frames, and actuating means on the other side frame comprising a pull rod connected to said lever, a dead truck lever connected to said pull rod, and a power cylinder connected to the dead lever, both of said pull rods and said cylinder lying in planes substantially parallel to the plane of application of the beam.

:2.-In a 'brake arrangement, a vehicle frame, spaced supporting wheel and axle assemblies, brake beams supported from said frame inward- 'zly of said assemblies and carrying friction means adapted to be applied to the associated Wheels, a lever fulcrumed in each beam, a pull rod connecting'one zend of .said lever to said frame, an-

other leveri'ulcrumed intermediate its ends from said frame; a pull rod connecting the adjacent 'ends of said levers, and power means operatively connected to the last-mentioned lever, said pouver means and said pull rods lying respectively in planes substantially parallel to the plane of application. of the beam.

'3. In a brake arrangement, a truck comprising spaced side frames and an intervening bolster, spaced supporting wheel and axle assemblies, brake rigging for each assembly comprising a brake beam slidingly supported from said side frames and adapted for application to said assembly, a truck lever fulcrumed in said beam, a pull rod connecting sai-d llever to one of said side frames, and actuating means on the other side frame operativelyassociated with said lever, said pull rod and said actuatingmeans lying in planes substantially parallel to the plane of application of the beam.

4. In a brake arrangement, a truck comprising spaced side frames',and an interconnecting bolster, spaced supporting Wheel andfaxle assemblies, and brake rigging for each assembly comprising a brake-beam slidably supported from said side frames, a truck'lever fulcrumed in said beam, an under axle pull Vrod connecting said lever to one of said side frames, and actuating means on the other side frame operatively associated with said lever, said pull rod being substantially parallel to the plane of application of the beam.

5. In a brake arrangement, a truck'comprising spaced side frames and aninterconnecting bolster, spaced supporting wheel and axle assemblies, and brake rigging for each assembly comprising a, brake beam vslidingly supported from said side frames inwardly of said assembly and adapted for application to said assembly, a truck lever fulcrumed in said beam, means connecting said lever to the end of one of said side frames, and actuating means on the corresponding end of the other side frame and operatively associated with said lever.

6. In a brake arrangement, a truck frame comprising spaced side frames and an intervening bolster, spaced supporting wheel and axle assemblies and brake rigging for each assembly comprising a brake beam supported from said side frames, a truck lever fulcrumed in means on said beam, means connecting said lever to one I of said side frames, and power means on the other side frame operatively associated with said lever, said connecting means being in the form of a pull rod directly connected at its opposite ends to said lever and said rst-mentioned side frame respectively. i

7. In a brake arrangement, a truck comprising spaced side frames and an intervening bolster, spaced supporting wheel and axle assemblies, and

brake rigging for each assembly comprising. a brake beam supported from said side frames, a truck lever fulcrumed in means on said beam,

means connecting said lever to one of said side ster, spaced supporting wheel and axle assemblies, and brake rigging for each assembly com;

prising a brake beam slidably supported from said side frames, a truck lever fulcrumed in said beam, an under axle pull rod connecting said lever to one of said side frames, and actuating means on the other side frame operatively associated with said lever.

9. In a brake arrangement, a vehicle frame spaced supporting wheel and axle assemblies, brake beams supported from said frame inwardly of said assemblies and carrying friction means adapted to be applied to the associated wheels, and operating means for each beam comprising a lever fulcrumed thereto, a pull rod connecting the lower end of said lever to said frame, another lever fulcrumed intermediate its ends from said frame, a pull rod connecting the adjacent ends of said levers, and power means operatively connected to the last-mentioned lever.

10. In a brake arrangement, a vehicle frame, a supporting wheel and axle assembly, a brake beam slidably supported from said frame in va plane inclined with respect to the horizontal, said beam being disposed at the side of said assembly adjacent the transverse center line of the frame and said beam being movable in said plane toward and away from said assembly, and actuating means for said beam comprising a system of interconnected pull rods and levers, one end of said system being connected to the frame and a power cylinder mounted on the frame and connected to the opposite end of said system, said rods and said cylinder being disposed in planes parallel to the rst-mentioned plane.

1l. In a brake arrangement, a vehicle frame, a supporting wheel and axle assembly, a brake beam slidably supported from said frame in a plane inclined with respect to the horizontal, said beam being movable in said plane toward and away from said assembly, and actuating means for said beam comprising a system of interconnected pull rods and levers, one end of said system being connected to the frame, a dead lever at the opposite end of said system, said dead lever being fulcrumed from said frame, and power means operatively associated with said dead lever, said pull rods lying in planes parallel to the rstmentioned plane, said beam being disposed at the side of said assembly adjacent the transverse center line of said frame.

12. In a brake arrangement, a vehicle frame, a supporting wheel and axle assembly, a brake beam comprising tension and compression members and a strut connected therebetween, said beam being supported from said frame, a lever fulcrumed intermediate the ends thereof in said strut, means connecting one end of said lever to one end of the frame, and power means at the same end of the frame and operatively associated with the opposite end of said lever, said connecting means and said power means being disposedfat opposite sides of the longitudinal center line of the frame.

13. In a brake arrangement, a vehicle frame, a supporting wheel and axle assembly, a brake beam comprising tensionand compression members, and a strut connected therebetween, said .beam-being supported from said frame, a lever fulcrumed intermediate the ends thereof in said strut, means connecting one end of said lever to the adjacent end of said frame, and power means mounted on said end of said frame and operatively associated with the opposite end of said lever.

14. In a brake arrangement, a vehicle frame, a supporting wheel and axle assembly, a brake beam comprising tension and compression members and a strutconnected therebetween, said beam being supported from said frame, a lever fulcrumed intermediate the ends thereof in said strut, means connecting one end o-f said lever to the frame, and power means operatively associated with the opposite end of said lever, said power means comprising a cylinder on said frame, a dead lever fulcrumed intermediate its ends from a bracket on said frame, an operative connection between the dead lever and the cylinder, and an operative connection `between the dead lever and the first-mentioned lever.

15. In a brake arrangement, a truck comprising spaced side frames and an intervening bolster, a supporting wheel and axle assembly, and brake rigging for said assembly comprising a brake beam supported from said side frames, a lever fulcrumed to said beam, means connecting the lower end of said lever to one of said side frames, and actuating means on the other side frame operatively associated with said lever.

16. In a brake arrangement, a vehicle frame, a supporting wheel and axle assembly, and brake rigging for each assembly comprising a brake beam supported from said frame, a lever fulcrumed from said beam, means connecting said lever to one end of said frame, and actuating means on said end operatively associated with said lever, said connecting means and said actuating means being disposed at opposite sides of the longitudinal center line of the frame.

17. In a brake arrangement, a truck comprising spaced side frames and an interconnecting member, a supporting wheel and axle assembly, and brake rigging for said assembly comprising a brake beam supported from said side frames, a lever fulcrumed from said beam, an under-axle pull rod connecting said lever to one of said side frames, and actuating means on the other side frame operatively associated with said lever.

18. In a brake arrangement, a vehicle frame, spaced supporting wheel and axle assemblies, brake beams supported from said frame inwardly of said assemblies and carrying friction means adapted to be applied to the associated wheels, a lever fulcrumed to each beam, means connecting the lower end of said lever to said frame, and power means operatively associated with the other end of said lever.

19. In a brake arrangement, a vehicle comprisother side frame and operatively associated with side frames 'inwardly of said assemblies, a .lever said lever. fulcru-med in said beam, means vconnecting said I 20. In a brake arrangement, a, Vehicle comprislever to -the end of one of said side frames, and

ing spaced side frames and an interconnecting actuating Ameans on the other side frame and member, spaced supporting Wheel and axle as- 5 4operativ/"ely associated with said lever.

semblies, and brake rigging for each assembiy n comprising a brake beam supported from said 1 NORMAN FLESCI-I. 

